Renaissance

The Renaissance period of the Medieval era of philosophy covers, very roughly, the 15th and 16th Centuries. It can be seen as a bridge between Medieval philosophy and the start of Modern philosophy during the Age of Reason.

It includes the following major philosophers:

• Erasmus, Desiderius (1466 - 1536) Dutch
• Machiavelli, Niccolo (1469 - 1527) Italian
• More, Sir Thomas (1478 - 1535) English
• Bacon, Sir Francis (1561 - 1626) English

The Renaissance is named for the rebirth or revival of classical civilization and learning. In general terms, it is usually considered to have begun in Italy in the mid-14th Century and rolled across Europe over the succeeding two centuries.

In philosophical terms, the renaissance represents a movement away from Christianity and medieval Scholasticism and towards Humanism, with an increasing focus on the temporal and personal over merely seeing this world as a gateway to the Christian afterlife. A new sense of critical inquiry arose that looked back to the ancient Greeks but also set the stage for the birth of modern philosophy in the Age of Reason.